DAP rep: Don't give Kidex extension
Rajiv RishyakaranPublished: Feb 12, 2015 9:17 PM | Updated: Feb 12, 2015 10:22 PM
As we approach the deadline of Feb 15 that was set by both the federal and state government to fulfill its respective conditions for the Kinrara Damansara Expressway (Kidex), we have yet to see any sign that Kidex intends to comply with the three conditions set forth by the Selangor government.
The three conditions are namely:
1. The concessionaire must provide a traffic impact and other relevant studies demonstrating substantial benefit for commuters in terms of reducing traffic congestion and travel time.
2. There must be full transparency on the rate of return of the highway including the toll rates to be charged. This is to ensure that there will be no astronomical profits for the concessionaire and unfair burden on the users.
3. In line with the transparency and accountability practice of the state government, Azmin Ali also demanded that the concession agreement must be fully disclosed to the public.
While Kidex has release some documents in relation to condition no 1, they have yet to indicate that they are willing to abide by condition nos 2 & 3 that were set by Selangor.
Instead, Kidex, through a statement made by its chief operating officer Shaharizuan Shafiei, has only agreed to reveal the concessionaire agreement to the Selangor menteri besar and the state legal advisers.
This is a clear indication that Kidex cannot and will not comply with the predetermined conditions imposed on the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway.
The inability to present the basic requirements imposed by the Selangor state Ggvernment to Kidex would spell the end of this proposed highway.
This failure simply means that the proposed highway will not even be considered, much less be given the approval they need from the Selangor government.
The works minister must remember that he has admitted on numerous occasions that without the Selangor government’s approval, Kidex cannot proceed.
Thus, there is no basis to further prolong the issue of Kidex. The minister should not be discussing or considering awarding a second extension to the concessionaire (the first extension was granted for three months upon the expiry in November 2015).
It is time we moved on, to look at other more feasible and sustainable options to ease traffic congestion in the Klang Valley generally and more specifically in Petaling Jaya, especially improving public transportation.
RAJIV RISHYAKARAN is DAP's Bukit Gasing assemblyperson.
The three conditions are namely:
1. The concessionaire must provide a traffic impact and other relevant studies demonstrating substantial benefit for commuters in terms of reducing traffic congestion and travel time.
2. There must be full transparency on the rate of return of the highway including the toll rates to be charged. This is to ensure that there will be no astronomical profits for the concessionaire and unfair burden on the users.
3. In line with the transparency and accountability practice of the state government, Azmin Ali also demanded that the concession agreement must be fully disclosed to the public.
While Kidex has release some documents in relation to condition no 1, they have yet to indicate that they are willing to abide by condition nos 2 & 3 that were set by Selangor.
Instead, Kidex, through a statement made by its chief operating officer Shaharizuan Shafiei, has only agreed to reveal the concessionaire agreement to the Selangor menteri besar and the state legal advisers.
This is a clear indication that Kidex cannot and will not comply with the predetermined conditions imposed on the proposed Kinrara-Damansara Expressway.
The inability to present the basic requirements imposed by the Selangor state Ggvernment to Kidex would spell the end of this proposed highway.
This failure simply means that the proposed highway will not even be considered, much less be given the approval they need from the Selangor government.
The works minister must remember that he has admitted on numerous occasions that without the Selangor government’s approval, Kidex cannot proceed.
Thus, there is no basis to further prolong the issue of Kidex. The minister should not be discussing or considering awarding a second extension to the concessionaire (the first extension was granted for three months upon the expiry in November 2015).
It is time we moved on, to look at other more feasible and sustainable options to ease traffic congestion in the Klang Valley generally and more specifically in Petaling Jaya, especially improving public transportation.
RAJIV RISHYAKARAN is DAP's Bukit Gasing assemblyperson.
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